Thunder sign Justin Robinson to 10-day contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Justin Robinson to a 10-day contract.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the news.

The Thunder need healthy bodies in time, and Robinson was one of the better point guards in the G League. By all accounts, Justin Robinson played really well for the Delaware Blue Coats.

Robinson averaged 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game on highly efficient shooting from downtown in the G League.

Oklahoma City’s injury crisis has meant that the bench is skinny; only eight players are expected to suit up against the Pistons tonight. The addition of Robinson should hopefully tide the Thunder over until the roster is healthier.

As a player, Robinson has walked a winding road since going undrafted in 2019. The point guard out of Virginia Tech has played in the G League for the Capital City Go-Go and the Blue Coats. Robinson also played spot minutes for the Wizards a season ago.

At this point in the season, Sam Presti is pursuing a roster exploration strategy; part of that strategy includes mining the G League for diamonds in the rough.

Other teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers were consistently able to find these gems during their ‘Process’ years. Sam Hinkie was able to find NBA rotation players in Christian Wood, TJ McConnell, and Robert Covington by being willing to test these players with real NBA minutes.

Robinson satisfies a short-term need for the Thunder, but I would not be surprised to see Presti go back to this strategy well. The G League has developed into a rich pipeline of talent that it seems foolish not to explore the roster.